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Curly, For something like that, you might be better off getting a couple drop sections of pipe from the steel yard. Cut them in half and use the radius that provides. Unless you're real particular about the width, that would be the cheapest option.

I would use a ring roller, but those aren't cheap either. Unless you want to add it to the arsenal (they are handy), the cut pipe would be the more economical approach.

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Thanks, I actually ordered that, a scroll attachment, and a twister thing when I ordered the bender. Might do some stuff along the lines of banasters on the porch of our log cabin. We have nice log (small logs) banasters now, but we have a lot of wood. I'm thinking some metal would really spice some things up around this place. Dang, I ain't even got power to the welder yet

Thanks for the input

Curly

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Comment

Curly, For something like that, you might be better off getting a couple drop sections of pipe from the steel yard. Cut them in half and use the radius that provides. Unless you're real particular about the width, that would be the cheapest option.

I would use a ring roller, but those aren't cheap either. Unless you want to add it to the arsenal (they are handy), the cut pipe would be the more economical approach.

Jim,

Yep, I got a few other things. Anything over $140 or so was $11.99 so I looked through there good and made sure I had a few things.

Comment

Curly,
Get a short drop of pipe in the diameter you want the radius of those bends...maybe 2" high or just a tad wider than the widest strap you envision bending. Tack the pipe to your table top. Tack a 1/2" or 5/8" bolt by the head to the center of the circle that the pipe now frames with enough thread to attach a section of strap, pipe or whatever you want to use as a bending fulcrum. Drill that strap, pipe, whatever to sit on top of the pipe with a handle end and a bending end sticking out past the rim of the pipe and loosely bolt to the top. Weld a piece of 5/8 or larger rod to the strap, pipe, whatever so that it is loosely butting up against the pipe with the strap you want to bend sitting between that section of rod and the pipe. Tack a second section of rod anywhere close to the pipe to use as a stop for the strap as it is being drawn around the pipe. Walk the handle you've bolted to the top of the pipe around the perimeter and you'll have your bent strap. When you're done, grind the jig off the table and go on to your next project. this will let you bend thicker and wider straping than the HF model...only limit is how much grunt you want to put into the work.

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Here is the last arch i made with my HF bender. I figured the radius and marked lines like every 3 or 4 inches then just bend a little at a time until you get the radius you want. You can use a piece of cardboard with the radius drawn on it to use for a template. Your log holder might be marked every inch or so because its smaller. Also use a stand to hold up the long end to keep everything straight and level...Bob

Comment

Here is the last arch i made with my HF bender. I figured the radius and marked lines like every 3 or 4 inches then just bend a little at a time until you get the radius you want. You can use a piece of cardboard with the radius drawn on it to use for a template. Your log holder might be marked every inch or so because its smaller. Also use a stand to hold up the long end to keep everything straight and level...Bob

Very nice. A yard trellis is on my list too. I've always built that kinda stuff outta wood in the past, but wanna get some steel stuff around this log cabin. I've always been a would worker and now I wanna become a still worker too.

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I'm like that fella, I usually wear a lab coat when I'm workin on stuff.

This is funny not to do with anything but a lab coat. I had one when i was 18 or so that i wore to be stupid along with my bowling shoes. But anyway those of us that can remember the blizzard of '77 or '78 will chuckle. My buddy got his car stuck on a hill with like 6 inches of snow and i said i will jump out and push. Well i pushed and he caught traction and he flew up the hill and stopped at the stop sign and got out to see where i was. I was standing there. He said i know you didn't run up here i said nope my coat got hooked on your bumper guards and you drug me up here. Sure glad there was a stop sign and he wasn't out for a long drive. So i gave up the long coat that instant...Bob

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Here is the last arch i made with my HF bender. I figured the radius and marked lines like every 3 or 4 inches then just bend a little at a time until you get the radius you want. You can use a piece of cardboard with the radius drawn on it to use for a template. Your log holder might be marked every inch or so because its smaller. Also use a stand to hold up the long end to keep everything straight and level...Bob

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What tools would I need to bend the metal on this would rack? I want to build this for our cabin to clean up the messy wood and kindling we have laying on the hearth.

Thanks,
Curly

Hi Curly,

From where I'm standing, you need a welder, a cutting tool, and perhaps your "would"working equipment.

The real question is if you want to build the rack EXACTLY as shown, or a just a close facsimile thereof. I would just work the design around all the hard bends shown in the frame and base so you don't need a bender for those details, unless it's the specific look of the picture you're after.
For the inverted arches, 1/8" x 1.5" flat bar stock should just bend to fit without having to roll anything. The arch will have spring however, so you'd have to weld something between the posts to bridge the gap. Otherwise, just cut a plywood radius template smaller than the radius you're looking for (to allow for springback)and pull that bar around it. You'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

T'aint no big deal.

That being said, the $99 harbor freight universal bender and the cheapo ebay ring roller will open up many doors for your future projects. IMHO, these are truly a lot of bang for the buck.